As a solo sailor I have always wondered how I would get back on board if I went off the bow.
Aft of the rigging is no problem as my safety harness will allow me to get at the stern ladder.
So yesterday I tried a few things out. Firstly I found that I would be completely in the water, but attached by my safety harness over the side safety wires to my jack lines. Without any help that was where I was going to stay!
Next I ran a line from the bow to the stern and laid it on the outside of the stanchions. In I went, but found it was too loose.
After tightening it up as much as I could I tried it out but found that it slipped below the curve of the hull which was too low to get back on board. 
I had a coffee and a think. I next came up with the idea of a rope ladder over the side and after trying a few ideas out came up with the attached idea.
I will be putting one on each side of SEAKA and lashing it up, where is still to be worked out, with a breakable cord.
Any comments (after you try it out) will be appreciated.
To view the details go to the main Top Hat Home page select Gallery then Various Files and then this file
2. A Method of getting onto the bow of a Top Hat.
Phillip
SEAKA
[PS The water was a warm 17 degrees C]
